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    $399 Laptop from Futureshop...

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by gibson00, Nov 5, 2009.

  1. gibson00

    gibson00 Notebook Evangelist

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    gibson00, Nov 5, 2009
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  2. jimbob83

    jimbob83 Notebook Evangelist

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    I picked up the eMachines version of this computer for $369 about a week ago but I see that one's gone up to $429 now. If you buy it make sure you click the "Special Offers" tab and get the free software package as well (Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 plus a couple of other titles). For the price and with the software included I think this is a very good deal.

    I haven't used it much, but the CPU seems to be ok for typical household stuff. I actually bought mine to see if I can stuff a dual-core CPU into it and have a Turion X2 TL-58 on the way.

    A few other random observations:

    The build quality is fine and is comparable to other consumer grade notebooks. Fit and finish are on par with the Gateway P-7805 I bought over the summer (and paid several times as much for). Neither one feels anywhere near as solid or rugged as my old IBM Thinkpad T42 but for the price I'm not complaining.

    I don't like the keyboard, particularly because it is the bilingual Canadian version with the upside down L-shaped enter key and the extra key to the left of the enter key (makes it awkward for touch typing).

    The widescreen LCD looks good, but seems awfully short on vertical real estate at only 768 pixels high. I haven't tried the photo editing software on it (I'm saving those to install on the Gateway once my Win 7 upgrade discs arrive for that computer), but the screen is bright and even, colours look good, and viewing angles are decent.
     
    jimbob83, Nov 5, 2009
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  3. norbert26

    norbert26 Notebook Enthusiast

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    on oct 2nd i bought the 5517-9779 which is in the same series at radio shack in the states . the configuration is close with 3 gbs RAM 160GHZ t20 athion 64 processor , 160 GB HDD , 3200 graphics. same output / input ports . only other difference is this was loaded with vista and is awaiting the W-7 upgrade kit. i have been running the machine around the clock without any problems.
     
    norbert26, Nov 6, 2009
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